Brooklyn Nets vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Friday, November 24, 2017, 12 PM ET
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
TV: YES Network, NBCSNW
Projected Starters
- Nets: Spencer Dinwiddie, Allen Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Tyler Zeller
- Blazers: Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum,Pat Connaughton, Noah Vonleh, Jusuf Nurkic
Injuries
- Nets: Jeremy Lin (knee, out), D’Angelo Russell (knee, out), Trevor Booker (ankle, questionable)
- Blazers: Al Farouq-Aminu (ankle, out), Wade Baldwin (thumb, out), CJ Wilcox (knee, out)
Lunch Time
If the Nets let Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum feast, this game will be over quickly. However, McCollum is coming off his worst game of the season where he shot 1-of-14 from the field and finished with just five points. This game is going to go one of two ways. McCollum is either going to come in on a mission and bounce back in a big way, or he will continue to struggle.
The Blazers got clobbered by Philly in a 20-point beatdown. It’s hard to know whether they are a mediocre team or just had an off game. The Nets come in at a disadvantage based on available talent, but outside of Lillard and McCollum, the Blazers do not have more than role players. Plus, that great offensive guard duo is not that great on the defensive end. Dinwiddie, LeVert and Crabbe could definitely exploit that. Speaking of Crabbe, this could be another shot at a revenge game. The Blazers dumped him to the Nets in the summer because they did not want to pay him anymore. Crabbe will need to get hot from downtown, but it is not a stretch considering he is shooting 40 percent from three on the season.
Grind It Out
The Nets will have to play physical if they want to stay in this game. Star power is something they lack, but if they can slow the pace and irritate the Blazers, they could hang in the game. Carroll and Hollis-Jefferson have the ability to bring the heat defensively. Can they do it for four quarters?
The Blazers are currently favored by four points. Vegas believes the Nets will be in this game, and if they hanging around, who is to say they cannot get lucky late in the fourth? Could it be a game-winner from Allen Crabbe? Tune in to find out.
